Summertime is all about getting outside and enjoying the sunshine. But sometimes Mother Nature has other plans and traps you inside during a thunderstorm. Here’s a list of fun things to do when you’re stuck inside.

1. No paintbrushes allowed! Set up a paint station using items found around the house.Sponges, forks, potato mashers, the options are endless.
2. Fun canvas art. Using a blank canvas and some painter’s tape, make a fun design, paint with a variety of colours and then remove the tape.
3. 75 paper plate crafts. A big list of ideas for crafts you can make from paper plates!
4. Cardboard box + crayons. Take a big empty box that your child can fit inside, give them some crayons and see what they create!
5. Sticky spider web. Make a spider web in a doorway using painter’s tape. Throw things at it to see what sticks! 
6. DIY ribbon dancers. Some wooden or plastic rings, long strands of ribbon and you’ve got a beautiful prop to dance with.
7. Discovery bottles. A variety of things you can put inside plastic bottles for your little ones to explore.
8. Fishing for letters. Put some water in the tub, toss in some letter magnets and fashion your kid a fishing rod.
9. Pet shop in a box. Time for some creative play!
10. Masking tape town. Get out a roll of masking tape and some markers. Let the kids design a “town” on the floor!
11. Indoor carwash. Can’t wash the family vehicle outside? Then “wash” your pretend car inside!
12. Water beads. Check out 35 different ways to use them as well as tips, tricks and secrets about water beads.
13. Blanket fort! Tips & tricks on how to create a great blanket fort.
14. DIY superhero cape. All you need is a men’s t-shirt. Seriously.
15. Wipes box toy. Got a little one who loves pulling things from boxes? Empty wipes box + baby washcloths or fabric scraps = tons of fun for a little one.
16. Bake some banana bread. Rainy days are a great excuse to get the kids involved in the kitchen.
17. Rocket balloon races. Two different ways to rocket some balloons around the house!
18. Window painting. Get a little messy inside on a rainy day.
19. Catapults! Here’s 15 different ways to create catapults using items around the house.
20. Playdough. It’s easy to make your own playdough and there are so many ways to do it!

And when all else fails, go splash outside in the puddles.